Metal pots and planters can look great in your garden, but you do have to be careful that they don’t overheat. Excessive heat can take a toll on the roots of your plants, so if you love the look of metal planters, there are a few things you can do to keep your plants in good condition.

• Choose light-coloured metal planters to reflect heat
• Use a large metal planter to dissipate heat faster
• Sanitise the planter to prevent disease from spreading
• Add an inner lining to dissipate heat
• Keep the potting soil moist and cool
• Place the metal planter in shady areas of your garden

Lining a metal planter has multiple benefits. Lining the planter with plastic can protect the roots of your plant from overheating, which is very common with metal planters. Leaving a gap between the plastic liner and the inside of the metal container will help to circulate air, allow moisture to evaporate, and ensure heat can dissipate.

Secondly, lining the metal planter with a substance such as waterproof foam can help to seal the metal planter from water damage and therefore, prevent a build-up of rust.

Primrose stocks three types of metal planters: zinc, stainless and corten. Zinc planters are a recent introduction that have superseded powder coated due to their superior corrosion resistance. Available in nearly limitless colours, the material can survive decades of tough exposure.

Stainless and corten are both special types of steel. A stainless steel planter enhanced with chromium will maintain its sheen, while a corten steel planter will form a protective layer of rust, producing a gorgeous industrial aesthetic.

Browse even more garden planters and plant pots here at Primrose for more inspiration.

It will usually take a few months of use to oxidise and produce a layer of rust. The corten steel plant pot will need to be exposed to the atmosphere and all different types of wet and dry weather to fully develop. Within 4-5 months, your planter will have changed colour for a fully authentic appearance. Take a look at other rustic style planters including terracotta planters, fibrecotta planters, and ceramic planters.

Not only do they provide a beautiful and simple style to your garden, corten steel planter can also be a great option to grow certain vegetables. it is safe to grow vegetable plants and seeds in planters made from weathering steel. Corten steel warms up quicker than other materials, is low maintenance, and is also resistant to weather exposure. Vegetables that need warmer climates to flourish would be best placed in corten steel plant pots, for example, tomatoes and peppers. Just make sure the pots have good drainage for any rust runoff.

One of the best things about corten steel is its ability to naturally age with almost no maintenance and aftercare. Because the rust will naturally form, no treatment is required to help it get to that stage. You can, however, clean it with a sturdy brush whenever it gets dirty.